Differential driving mechanism



Aug. 26, 1941. A. J. WEINIG I DIFFERENTIAL DRIVING MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheetl 4l ...3%. ymwww ...T 4 ww. a w. f... .5.... F1a, .v f 4: 3f f c. M... 3, 2 A .5.. .5, .n 6 2 M m 8 mha-...J n. v 2% n. n i 7 ,i L i 2 y .L o L. n L r. v ..5

)Vlug/tw ATTORNEYS Aug. 25, 1941. A. J. WEINIG 2,253,535

DIFFERENTIAL rDRIVING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 26, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug- 25, 1941# v A. J. WEINIG 2,253,535

DIFFERENTIAL I-)RIVING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 26, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 LI IIII Patented Aug. 26, 1941 DIFFERENTIAL Dnivnic. MEoHANisM Arthur J. Weinig, Golden, Colo., assignor to Morse Bros.

Machinery Company,' Colo., a corporation of Colorado Denver,

Application september zo, 1938, serial No. 231,766

17 claims. (ci. 74-424.8

This invention relates to improvements in differential power transmission mechanism for thickeners or the like.

Mechanism built according to this invention may also be used advantageously in combination with feeders, roasters, excavators, washers, agitators, rotary drills and similar devices.

As is well known to those skilled in the art, the rotary plows in a thickener, for instance, are subjected to variable resistance by the material being acted upon and the mechanism involved may be twisted, bent, damaged or broken if such resistance becomes too great without relief. Furthermore, after a shut-down of operation in such a device, solids may settle around and on the plows and other rotary parts of the mechanism, so that such parts must be dug out and raised or otherwise cleared before the machine can again be safely started. In plants that operate only five days per week, thickeners and other similar devices must have their mechanism or rakes manually raised after closing down or be dug out and cleared for each weekly start after the two-day shut-down.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide novel mechanism that willY automatically raise the rotary element in a thickener orthe like to relieve or avoid resistance to its normal forward rotary movement when such resistance builds up to a predetermined degree.

Another object is to provide such a mechanism that can be selec-tively raised by power or by manual means. V

yA further object is to provide mechanism of this kind that can be raised with reverse rotation by manual means, when the power is off.

Still another object Vis to provide in a device of this character, a differential mechanism that will either rotate and lower` the rotary element or elevate the same according to the rotative resistance to such movements, and that will rotate the element in a constant plane when the said resistances are balanced.

Still another object is to provide braking means that may be selectively applied to differential driving mechanism to optionally control the degree of resistance to the elevation of the rotary element.

A still further object is to provide a differentially driven rotary element that will return to its normal working position, by power or by gravity or by the combined influences of both, after it has been raised for a shut-down, and that has manually operable braking means to control said downward return movement.

Another object is the provision in a differential drive of this character of shearing means to predetermine the degree of difference in resistance to rotary movement and axial movement, that shall buildup before differential driving of the rotary element will occur. Still another object is to provide a dierential drive lfor a vthickener or the like that cannot be started under power, after it has been automatically` raised to its upper limit due to an obstruction, until said obstruction is cleared away or removed.

A still further object of the invention is to provide meansl for adjusting the maximum depth to which a rake mechanism or aY plow mechanism or vthe like will operatein devices of the above stated character.

It ywill be further understood that it is an object of the present differential driving mechanism that it will automatically elevate the rotary driven element lof a thickener or the like to relieve or avoid resistance -to its normal rotary movement, and that-it will also lower said rotary driven element to its normal working position when, if and assaid resistance is reduced or eliminated.

Other objects and advantages reside in details of design and construction which will bemore fully disclosed in the following description and in the drawings wherein like parts have been similarly designated and in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional view of a typical thickener, the rotary driven element of which is operated by mechanism built according to the present invention, the novel features of said mechanism being drawn to a larger scale than the thickener forv purposes of clarity;

Figure k1A is a fragmentary sectional View of another form of certain details shown in Figure 1;

`Figure 2 isa fragmentary sectional view taken approximately on the line 2 2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional View illustrating a modified embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating another form of the invention; and

Figures 5 and 6 are fragmentary sectional views illustrating other changes in details of construction that may be made within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

To clearly illustrate typical embodiments of this invention reference in detail will now be had to the various figures of the drawings wherein a rotary driven element that is journaled for both rotary movement and axial displacement is indicated by reference character A, a rotary drive element is indicated by B, and various forms of hoisting or elevating mechanisms for axial movement of the rotary element, are indicated broadly throughout all forms of the invention by reference character C. A differential mechanism is indicated as a whole by D which, in the preferred form shown in Figure 1, comprises a differentially driven rotary member that is positioned for rotary driving connection with a shaft I5 which is a part of the rotary driven element A, in all normal positions thereof. Shaft I6 is journaled in a suitable bearing IBa. The other side of the differential mechanism D comprises a second concentric differentially driven member Il that is in driving connection with the elevating mechanism C through the intermediary of a yoke I8 that is in threaded screw-jack connection with threads I9 on said shaft IG.

Intermediate differential power-transmitting pinions are shown `at. 20, and While these are illustrated diametrilcally opposite for purposes of clarity, three intermediate pinions 2li .are a preferred number in actual practice.

Diierentially driven rotary member I5 is journaled for its normal rotary movement in a bearing 2l on its extended hub 22 and is held against axial displacement by collars 23 and 24. A key 25 transmits rotary driving force from member I5 to the shaft I6, and a key-way 26 permits relative axial movement of the shaft I6 through the hub of the rotary member I5, while main-taining said rotary driving connection. The key- 25 may be securely held inthe member I5 by means of screws or the like, not shown.

Rotary plows 21 are supported on yand rotated by shaft I5 and yare a part of the rotary driven element A which acts upon materiell 28 in the tank 29 in the well known thickener manner.

The yoke I8 is provided with external threads Ita. that are engaged by a locking hand-wheel 3!)- and an elevating hand-wheel 3I-, the extended hubl 32 of which supports a swivel collar 33 that is. connected with the shaft I6 by means of a hand-screw 34. Thus the position of elevating hand-wheel 3l provides a downward limit of movement and a depth gauge vfor positioning the rotary driven element A.

Swivel member 33 is provided with a laterally and downwardly extending arm I35 that is guided and held against rotary movement in steady bearings 35 on a supporting arm 3.1.. Positioned onarm 35 is an optionally movable set collar 38 and a second similar c ollar 39. A circuit-breaker 4,5. is positioned on the support 3l 'above the collar 33 to be contacted and operated by said collar, as will -be hereinbelow explained.V

The rotary driveelement B in the preferred form, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, is a worm gear which receives its driving power from any convenient prime mover, not shown, through the intermediary of a worm. 4I, a shaft 42 anda jaw clutch 43. The jaw clutch is. automatically operable by means of a forked `clutch arm 44. that is journaled at 454 for limited, arcuate movement. Aweight on thel other end of the. arm 44 normally maintains the jaw `clutch 43 .in powertransmitting. engagement; but when the rotary driven element A is raised to a predetermined position the set collar 39 on the arm 35 may be positioned to Contact and move the clutch arm 44 to disengage the clutch and stop the power input to the mechanism.

' A brake element 53 is supported on a stationary bracket 5I and is positioned to contact a ridge 52 on the rotary differential hoisting member Il. In the instant illustration, the brake element 50 is in the form of a resilient spring, the tension of which, `as it bears upon the ridge 52, is manuallly adjustable by means of `a hand-screw 53. Obviously, the brake element 50 could be in the form of a weight or any other suitable form instead of a resilient spring, `as illustrated.

While but one ridge 52 has been illustrated, it will be understood that any number of ridges 52 may be provided on the differential rotary element I1 or they may be entirely omitted and the braking force yapplied directly to a smooth surface thereof. Furthermore, the brake could be applied along the vertical perimetrical surface of the member Il, which surface can be smooth and continuous or ridged for intermittent contact with the braking member 50.

Shear pins 54 may be optionally used to require a predetermined degree of differential resistance to rotary movement and axial movement of the rotary driven element A, to a point where the shear pins will fail before differential driving action occurs. The differential member I'I may be provided with a plurality of apertures 55 to receive pins 54, las desired, and corresponding but elongated apertures 55 may be provided in the rotary drive element B for the same purpose.

In Figure 1A the shaft I6 has a solid collar IIia and a flange |51) that rests on the hub 32 when the shaft is in its lowermost position. A swivel member 33a is provided with an inner chamber that surrounds :and clears the shaft collar Ia. At the lower part of the chamber is a washer 33h around the shaft and adapted to clutch the collar IIia, to stop the shaft I5 from rotation when the hand screw 34 is tightened. This will elevate the element A. The arm 35 is attached to swivel 33a and functions asset forth, and when the shaft I5 is raised by this means, to a point where power is automatically cut off, the mechanism can be again started -by lowering the swivel 33a by unscrewing clamp 34.

Operation In use, the rotary drive element B is actuated by means of its associated power input mechanism, as above set forth, yand it in turn bodily rotates the intermediate differential pinions 2B about the shaft I5. The pinions transmit rotary driving force to either rotary driven member I5 which will rotate the shaft I6, or to rotary driven member Il' which will elevate the shaft I5 through the intermediary of the yoke I8 that is in threaded connection with threads I9 on said shaft. If and when the resistance to rotary movement of the shaft is balanced by resistance to the axial hoisting of the shaft, then the entire differential mechanism D and the rotary element A will rotate conjointly as one element. If and when resistance to rotary movement is less than resistance to axial movement, the differential mechanism will act to rotate the shaft I6 forwardly with reference to the member l1 land its yoke I8, in a direction to lower the element A until dynamic balance is established or until the lower limit is reached. If and when the resistance to rotary movement is greater than the resistance to axial elevation of the shaft, then the member Il and its yoke I3 will be rotated forwardly with reference to the shaft in a direction to elevate the element A. Whether the power input to the mechanism is converted into rotary movement of the element A or into axial movement thereof between predetermined limits will be governed by the relative resistances to such movements. By the use of the braking element 50 an operator may selectively increase the resistance to the rotation of member I'I and therefore also increase the resistance to the elevation of the shaft I6 to force power input to be converted into downward rotary movement of the rotary driven element A. The shear pins 54 serve to force the differential members to rotate conjointly, up to the shearing point of the pins, if and when used.

Under all circumstances, whenever the resista-nce to rotation of the element A is greater than the resistance to its axial movement, the differential mechanism D will operate to move the shaft I6 axially and thereby raise element A until the rotary resistance is less than the elevating resistance. If the elevating action continues to a predetermined point the collar 38 may be set to operate the circuit-breaker 4D to thereby stop the prime mover that is driving the mechanism, or the set collar 39 may be positioned to throw out the clutch 43 as hereinabove set forth. The clutch and the circuit-breaker may both be used, or either optionally omitted, as desired.

These features of automatically stopping power input to the mechanism are similar to those shown in my copending application, Serial No. 218,621, entitled Rotary driving mechanism, and insofar as these or other features are common to both disclosures they will be claimed in the earlier one.

The hand-screw 34 may be used to resist or stop rotation of the shaft I6 to cause the differential mechanism to raise the rotary driven element A, by power. The hand-wheel 3|, when locked by locking hand-wheel 30, may be used by an operator to manually resist rotation of the yoke I8 tolower element A and divert greater rotary driving force into the same.

When the power is stopped the hand-wheel 3l may be used to manually elevate the shaft I6, by turning it on the yoke threads I8a which will elevate said shaft through the intermediary of the swivel collar 33, and when such elevating action occurs the shaft I will rotate because of the engagement of its threads I9 with the yoke I8. When the rotary driven element A has been raised by power as by the use of the clamping hand-screw 34, and the power has been subsequently disconnected, the element A will remain in its elevated position until the clamping handscrew 34 is again released whereupon it may rotate downwardly by gravity if its weight is sumcient to overcome frictionand inertia of the moving parts, and either automatic circuitbreaker 4l] or the automatic clutch control arm 44, or both, will be actuated to again start power input. In the event where light weight shaft and rakes are used and Where the weight is insumcient to cause downward rotation by gravity, swivel collar 33a is constructed as shown in Figure 1A which permits a downward movement of arm 35 when the swivel is unclamped. This permits clutch and/or cut-out engagement to start the power input. The downward rotation of the rotary driven element A either by gravity or power may be optionally controlled, retarded or accelerated by use of the brake element 50, since obviously the differential member I1 will be rotated oppositely from the downwardly rotating shaft I5, when such downward rotation is due to gravity, this function being inherent in the differential mechanism when driving power is off.

As an additional safety feature it is to be noted that should the shaft be axially lifted by power to its uppermost limit due to accumulation or other obstructions in the tank, that the mechanisms cannot be started again under power until the tank obstructions are removed, because neither the shaft I6 nor the swivel member 33 or 33a can be lowered.

Thus is provided diiferental mechanism that will automatically rotate, lower or elevate a rotary driven element in a thickener or the like according to relative resistance to such movements, and which is further provided with manual means to selectively vary the relative resistance to such movements, and is further provided with both manual and power means for selectively elevating the rotary driven element when so desired.

The power lifting facilities are especially usev ful when a thickener or battery of thickeners or the like is to be shut down, because by merely setting the screw-clamp 34 the rotary element or elements A are raised free from solids in the thickener and the power input is automatically cut off until such time as operations are to be resumed, whereupon the screw-clamp 34 is released, which action alone is sufficient to automatically put the entire mechanism into normal operation. The manual labor that has been common to the operation of thickeners and like devices, is thus greatly reduced for the usual attendants.

In the differential drive shown in the preferred form, Figures 1 and 2, it will be seen that the intermediate differential gears 2U engage the rotary driven differential member I'I on a pitch diameter that is considerably greater than is the pitch diameter of the rotary differential driven member I5. Therefore, since both of the members, I5 and I1, are mounted for rotary movement about a common axis of rotation there is a considerable difference in the angular movement imparted to the inner differential member I5 from that imparted to the outer diiferential member I 1, by a given number of rotations of the intermediate gears 20, about their respective axes.

For purposes of automatically or selectively raising the rotary element A, a screw-thread I9 on the shaft I6 of any suitable pitch or lead angle, may be used. However, as shown in AFigure 1, a screw-thread I9 of a relatively large lead angle is preferred as giving more rapid response in the elevating function of the mechanism and as facilitating gravitational return with rotation of the rotary driven element A when released from an elevated position.

In Figure 3 the differentially driven member I5a that imparts rotary movement to the shaft I6, and the second diiferentially driven member Ila that imparts axial or hoisting movement to the shaft I8, are in the form of bevel gears having the same pitch diameters. The intermediate differential pinions 25a. are, of course, of the bevel type to correspond with the gears with which they mesh, and while two bevel pinions 29a are shown diametrically opposite, three pinions are preferred. The pini-ons are journaled for rotation in the rotary drive element B. Obviously, this arrangement can readily be coordinated with the other parts of the mechanism, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, and it will operate as above described.

Figure 4 illustrates a modified embodiment of the invention wherein the shaft I6, the rotary drive element B, the differentially driven members I and l1, may all be substantially the same, as hereinabove described in connection with Figures' l and 2. However, in this form of the invention the hoisting or elevating element C comprises a yoke et that is mounted for conjoint rotation with the differentially driven member l1, as clearly illustrated. The yoke 60 carries an internal spiral bevel gear 6I that meshes with a corresponding pinion 62 on a shaft 63- that is journaled in extended hub @il of the differentially driven member l5.

The ymain shaft It is provided with a gear rack Gti instead of screwthread I9 as shown in Figure 1'. As illustrated, the upper part of the shaft i6 may be of smaller diameter or this portion of the shaft may be made separate from shaft l and attached thereto by any convenient means. A spur pinion @it on the shaft 63 is mounted to mesh With the gear rack 55, and above the rack is a threaded section t? that is also a part of or attached to the main shaft l. A hand-Wheel te engages the threadedpart di of the shaft and thrusts against the yoke 6@ so that the shaft IB and the entire rotary driven element A may be manually raised by said hand-Wheel 68.

Obviously, the differential mechanism D in the form as shown in Figure 4 Will function to operate the hoisting or elevating mechanism C in this form when resistance to normal rotation of shaft li so demands. The rotation of the yoke B and the gear di will turn the pinion S2 and the shaft G3 to drive the spur pinion 5t to raise or lower the sha-ft l5 and the entire rotary driven element A. The features of selectively raising by power the shaft I6, as illustrated in Figures l and 2, may obviously be combined with the automatic hoisting mechanism C in the form shown in Figure 4, and upon release from an elevated position, the rotary driven element A, including the shaft l5, will descend by gravity or under power with rotary motion, and the yoke 6d will rotate in a direction opposite to the shaft, if the return is icy/gravity. All other features of Figures 1 and 2 can be used with the elevating element of Figure 4.

Figure 5 represents a change in the general form of the hoisting mechanism, hereinabove described and illustrated in Figure 4. Here the shaft 53, being driven by the same mechanism as shaft 553 in Figure e, is connected to rotate a reversible gear-type force-pump ed which is connected With a hydraulic cylinder lo by means of a suitable conduit system ll. Shaft IB, preferably reduced in size at its upper portion, is provided with a piston element 'l2 that is suitably mounted in the hydraulic cylinder 'it for reciprocatory movement therein. The cylinder l@ is provided with suitable `packing glands ma around the portion of the shaft IS that enters the cylinder.

It will be readily understood that when the cylinder lli, the conduit system 'H and the forcepump 69 are filled with a liquid, the rotation of the shaft 3 will function to raise or lovver the piston 'l2 according to the direction of the rotation of said shaft 63 and its associated forcepump G9. The other features of Figures l and 2 can be combined with the hoisting element of Figure 5.

In Figure 6 is illustrated the possibility of substituting balls 8i) in place of intermediate differential pinions Ztl, which will differentially drive the respective driven members l'ib and lh by Lil) friction. Any convenient number of balls may be used but three is the preferred number. The rotary drive element B, in this arrangement, serves as a cage for the balls, While the differentially driven members I'lb and IED are provided with suitable races. Rollers may be used instead of balls 8B and will function in a similar manner.

A particular advantage in the present construction is that a minimum of head room above the thickener tank is required. While in Figure 1 an A frame superstructure is illustrated, it will be understood that the main bearing 2l could be mounted directly on a horizontal beam immediately above the top of the tank 23 to further reduce the head room required for the mechanism. Such an arrangement is made possible because substantially all mechanism is above the bearing 2l. The vertical compactness of the arrangement shown in Figure l is highly advantageous in practical installation and is largely accomplished by the arrangement in which the yoke I3 is externally threaded for engagement by the manually operable elevating hand-Wheel 3l.

As above pointed out the improved mechanism herein disclosed may be used in combination with devices other than thickeners Where a rotary driven element is subject to variable resistance to its rotary movement. in the case of an excavator the breaking element 5l! is particularly advantageous in combination with the disclosed mechanism because an operator may manually direct the degree of digging and rotary driving force that is utilized by the rotary driven element.

While this specification discloses preferred means for reducing the present invention to practice and a preferred embodiment of the invention, changes may occur to those skilled in the art andmay be made within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

- or to actuate the elevating mechanism according to the relative resistance to rotary movement or to `axial movement of said driven element.

2. Rotary mechanism for a thickener or the like, comprising a driven element journalled for rotation and for axial movement, a rotary drive element, elevating mechanism operatively connected with said driven element,differential power-transmission mechanism connecting the drive element with said driven element and with said elevating mechanism differentially to transmit rotary driving force to said driven element or to actuate the elevating mechanism according to the relative resistance to rotary movement or to axial movement of said driven element, and means positioned and adapted selectivelyv to vary the resistance to one of such movements.

3. Rotary mechanism for a thickener or the like, comprising a driven element journalled for rotation and for axial movement, a rotary drive element, rotary elevating mechanism operatively connected-'with said-driven element, differenti-'a1 power-transmission mechanism connecting the drive element withsaiddriven element y.and with said elevating mechanism differentially to transmit 'rotary driving force tosaid driven element or to actuatetheelevating mechanism according to the relative resistance to rotary movement or to axial movement of said driven element, and means positioned and. adapted intermittently `to retard rotation of said elevating. mechanism.

4.Rotary mechanism for a thickeneror the like, comprising a driven element journalled for rotation and for axial movement, Iav rotary drive element, rotary elevating mechanism operatively connected with said driven element, differential power-transmission y mechanism connecting the drive element with said driven element and `with said elevating mechanism-differentially to transmit rotary driving force tol said driven element or to actuate the elevating mechanism according Vto the` relative resistance to rotary movement or to` axial movement of said driven element, and .a friction lbrake positioned. and adapted selectively to resistrotation of-the. elevating mechanism. n

5. Rotary'mechanismfor a thickener or the like, `comprising a driven element having a threaded shaft `iournalled for rotation and for axiall movement, aA rotary drive element, rotary elevating mechanism inclusiveof a jack screw engaging the threads of said shaft; connected with said drivenielement, and 'differential powertransmission mechanism connecting the drilve element with said driven element and with said elevating mechanism; .differentially to transmit rotary driving force to said driven element or to actuate the screw of the elevating mechanism according to the relative resistance to rotary movement or to axial movement of said driven element.

6. Rotary mechanism for a thickener or the like, comprising a driven element inclusive of a shaft having a rack and journalled for rotation and for axial movement, a rotary drive element, elevating mechanism inclusive of a driven pinion meshing with said rack, connected with said driven element, and differential power-transmission mechanism connecting the drive element with said driven element and with said elevating mechanism differentially to transmit rotary driving force to said driven element or to drive the elevating pinion according to the relative resistance to rotary movement or to axial movement of said driven element.

7. Rotary mechanism for a thickener or -theY like, comprising a driven element journalled for rotation and for axial movement, a rotary drive element, elevating mechanism connected with said driven element and comprising a hydraulic jack and a hydraulic pump operatively'connected therewith, and differential power transmission mechanism connecting the drive element with said driven element and with the pump of said elevating mechanism differentially to transmit rotary driving force to said driven element or to operate the elevating pump according to the relative resistance to rotary movement or to axial movement of said driven element.

8. In rotary mechanism, for a thickener or the like, an upstanding shaft journaled for rotation and for axial movement, a rotary drive element, a vdifferentially driven rotary member operatively connected to rotate said shaft, elevating mechanism for the shaft, another differentially driven rotary member operatively connected to actuate said' elevatingmechanism-and positioned concentrically witlithe 'first said differenti-ally driven rotary member, andv an intermediate `diiferential member driven by therotaryidrive elementand engaging the-said driven rotary: members Aat different radial 'distances from their common Iaxis of rotation, thereby effecting-*differential transmission of driving powerthereto according to the relative resistances -to their respective said rotary movements. y

9. Ina drive-fora thickener or theu like, 'an opstanding shaft journaled for rotationand for axial movement, a rotarydriveelement, a differentially driven rotarymember operatively'connected'f toL rotate" said shaft, hoisting mechanism for-thelshaft, lanother differentially driven rotary member operatively f connected tol actuate said hoisting mechanism andl positioned concentrically with the first'said differentially drivenV rotary membenand an intermediate :differential lmember driven -by the"rotary'driverelemlent 4and engaging the said drivenr rotarymembers at the same radial distance fromv their-commonaxis'of rotation, thereby effectingr differential transmission of Adrivingpowerthereto according to the relative resistances to their respectives/aid rotary movements.

10. Ina dri-velfor afthickener or the "like,V a shaft 'journaled for rotation and foraxial dis'- placement, a rotary drive elem-entya member differentially dr'ven by sai'ddrivel-element' and positioned for-rotaryy driving connection with said shaft` in .allA 'normal-positions of the" vlatter',` li'fting `mechanism for'the'i shaft, another rotary member differentially driven bythe drive-v element and connected to move the' shaft axially through the intermediary of said lifting mechanism, and

a shear member connecting the last said differentially driven member with the rotary drive element whereby to effect their conjoint rotation until failure of said shear member.

11. In a drive for a thickener or the like, a shaft journaled for rotation and for axial displacement, a rotary drive element, a member shaft in all normal positions of the latter, lifting mechanism for the shaft, another rotary member differentially driven by the drive element in superposed relation thereto and connected to move the shaft axially through the intermediary of said lifting mechanism, and a shear pin connecting the last said differentially driven member with the rotary drive element whereby to effect their conjoint rotation until failure of said shear pin.

12. In a drive for movements.

13. In a drive for a thickener or the like having an element journaled for both rotary and axial movement, and having a differential powertransmitting mechanism adapted to differentially transmit power for rotary and axial movement thereto according to the relative resistance to such movements, a clamp adapted to selectively hold the rotary element from rotation to thereby direct power-input into upward axial movement thereof, and means for limiting said axial movement.

14'. In a drive for a thickener or the like having an element inclusive of a threaded shaft journaled for both rotary and axial movement, a differential mechanism for transmitting power differentially for effecting such movements according to the relative resistance to the respective movements, the said power axial movement being effected by the differential mechanism through the intermediary of a rotary yoke in internal screw-jack engagement with the threaded shaft, the yoke also having external threads, and a manually operable member in screw engagement with the external threads of said yoke and connected with the shaft for selective manual axial movement thereof. Y

15. In a power transmission drive for a thickener or the like, having a differentially driven element mounted for two-way axial movement and for rotation, an axially movable clamping element engageable with the driven element whereby its rotary movement is resisted and power input is directed into upward axial movement of said driven element and conjoint axial movement of said clamping element, a power cut-out controlled by said movement of the clamping element, and means to lower said clamping element independently of the driven element. e

16. Rotary mechanism for a thickener or the r. n L. U

like, comprising a threaded upright shaft journalled for both rotation and for axial movement, a power-transmitting drive element positioned for rotation about said shaft, a driven gear slidably keyed to the shaft for rotating the same, an internal gear surrounding said driven gear and radially spaced therefrom, an intermediate pinion journalled for rotation upon the power-transmitting driving element and meshing with and between the two said gears, an internally threaded yoke secured to the internal gear and engaging the threads of said shaft the yoke being also externally threaded, and a handwheel in threaded engagement with the external threads of the yoke and connected with the shaft for determining its axial position.

1'7. Rotary mechanism for a thickener or the like, comprising a threaded upright shaft journalled for both rotation and for axial movement, a power-transmitting drive element positioned for rotation about said shaft, a driven gear slidably keyed to the shaft for rotating the same, an internal gear surrounding said driven gear and radially spaced therefrom, an intermediate pinion journalled for rotation upon the power-transmitting driving element and meshing with and between the two said gears, an internally threaded yoke secured to the internal gear and engaging the threads of said shaft the yoke being also externally threaded, a hand-Wheel in threaded engagement with the external threads of the yoke and connected with the shaft for determining its axial position, and means carried on the yoke for locking said hand-wheel in selected positions with reference to the yoke.

ARTHUR J. WEINIG. 

